Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-07-14

LoNGLEr last week took back one of his al
legged great " finds in regard to Democratic
county officials He said in effect that he did
not know the facts when he published the can
ard. This is about the size of it. The publi-
cations are made by mere guess work, and will
not stand the probe Of examination. They are
only given the attention they deserve by the
people. TIE CHRONICLE chestnuts are nov re-
ceived with scorn and derision.-Gazette
Nothing of the kind. The facts are as
stated in these columns, namely: That
the Prosecuting Attorneys reports show
that there was collected in money. on ac-
count of fines. $50 10 in excess of the
amount reported paid into the treasury
by the Clerk. That fact stands, just as
reported by THE CHRONICLE. Unlike
the Gazette, however, we printed pos-
sible explanation of the discrepancy
suggested by the Prosecuting Attorney,
but it was by no means conclusive. and
from that the Gazette draws the above
conclusions.
If the Gazette thinks any declaration,
of any description whatever. made in
these columns concerning Democratic
county management "will not stand the
probe of examination" suppose he
tackles it with his alleged probe. Here
they are. No general denisls nor nom
sense about "chestnuts will answer
Take them in such order as suits you:
IA has haa
of the most prosperous in the state-although
its tax duplicate within specified time has in
creased nearly 50, 600, ,OO0-although its popu-
lstion has increased 5,000-although upward
of twenty incorporated companies (including
two national banks and a large iron works.
have been organized within the time named
tie personal tGr list has actually decreased
and Democratic County Auditors are mainly
responsible for it.
II. That Democratic Auditors have been so
careless of their obligations and duties that
county expenses have been greatly increased.
III. That Democratic Auditors have time
and again drawn warrants upon the treasury
without authority of law.
". That the late Democratic Auditor over
drew his salary.
V. That the st. Clairsville Gazette has
profted from the recklessness and extravaganza
that have prevailed in the Auditors office.
VI. That the bank property of the county
has been undervalued for taxation, and that
bank officers knew the Auditor favored them, at
the expense of other people.
VII. That ex-Auditor Barrett overdrew for
assessing railroads, in 1S84-S5-S6, $I72I4.
VIII. That he travelled upon free passes,
given him by the railroads to secure his good
will, and at the same time charged the county
for his car fare.
TX. That Democratic Clerk of the courts
failed to cover unclaimed costs into the treas
ury in 1885, as required by law.
X. That Democratic Auditor kept no
1886, and that the entire December collection
was made without any check whatever upon
the Treasurer.
XII. That Democratic Commissioners let
contracts for skeleton of court house, in
tending to change them.
XII. That Democratic Auditor carelessly
issued warrants upon estimates for work upon
the court house, and that because of his care
lessness the county narrowly escaped serious
loss.
These are no triaing matters. They
involve very large sums of money, as
well as good government itself. If an
officer can be debauched and the tax du-
plicate defrauded, no man is safe, and
the property of the county is at the mercy
Of political thugs. If a mercenary news
paper can be pensioned by county officers,
it can be used to degrade and debauch the
people to the level it has chosen. If rail-
roads can step between the people and
their chosen agents, the public is wrong
ed. If claims (taxes) reaching up into
the thousands can be given to an officer
to collect, without keeping copy of
each, as required by law, great loss and
trouble may ensue.
The matters summarized above have
heretofore been minutely stated in these
columns. Several weeks have elapsed
since the publication of some of them.
If true, they are matters Of Importance
to the people of the county; if they can
not be sustained, it is matter of very
great Importance to the individuals al
legged to be responsible for such state of
affairs that they be disproved. We cor
hially invite the Gazette, or any of its
friebds, TO undertake the job.